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Columbus re-signs Klesla

The Columbus Blue Jackets signed defenseman Rostislav Klesla to a four-year contract extension Saturday that will keep the club’s first-ever Entry Draft pick with the organization through the 2013-14 season.

Klesla, 27, has scored 36 goals and 79 assists with 456 penalty minutes in 444 career games with the Blue Jackets. The club’s first pick, fourth overall, in the 2000 Entry Draft currently stands second in franchise history in games played (David Vyborny, 543) and penalty minutes (Jody Shelley, 1,025) and is the club’s all-time leader among defensemen in games played, goals, assists, points and penalty minutes. In 2001-02, he was selected to the National Hockey League’s All-Rookie Team.

"Rusty is an original Blue Jacket who over the years has grown and become a leader for our hockey club," GM Scott Howson said. "It was important for our organization and for Rusty that he continue to be a vital part of what we are building here."